Mickey Kaus2007-05-22 17:10:12
Mickey Kaus notes that "...The Bush administration actually asked that the provision requiring payment of back taxes be dropped from the bill, and it was taken out. Kennedy had it in! "
Jim C2007-05-22 17:10:12
Note the loophole big enough to drive a truck through regarding the z visas. the loophole can be found in sec. 1(a), and section 601(h). The exceptions noted in 601(h) are broad and allow for just about anyone to gain probationary z status before the date triggers are met.
Jim C
Joh nM2007-05-22 17:10:12
(2)If Mexican trucks are allowed into the United States, then the fence will not matter. There is no mention of certification that illegal immigration has been stopped or minimized only that the fence is in place.
Mr Vermont Cat2007-05-22 17:10:12
On a political side-note, any Republican Senator wanting to be President does his ambitions a great service by filibustering this bill when it comes time for a final vote.
This isn't legislation, this is a 1000-page surrender notice.
k ammer2007-05-22 17:10:12
So, (4)(i) is basically saying that the REAL ID Act WILL be in place and operational when this Immigration Bill passes. No more freedom in the work place for those of us who were BORN in this country, paid the taxes we needed to pay to make this country GREAT and WORKED all our lives in and FOR this country. American Citizens are now delegated to the lower class of "illegal immigrants" and are treated as such. Do I have this right? If so, GOD help us because the government in DC (District of Criminals) is and has been too busy to remember what their job was when they went to DC...to operate a government that was "of, for, and by the people"....guess they sorta forgot that, huh?
TmjUtah2007-05-22 17:10:12
trackedback to
link
Thanks for all you do, Mr. Bear!
Dale Corbin2007-05-22 17:10:12
If you cannot or just will not enforce laws in our own country to protect law-abiding citizens then do not insult us by trying to pass amnesty bills.Are politicians really so arrogant that they think they are intellectually superior to the rest of us ?
John Q2007-05-22 17:10:12
Section 130 in the proposed immigration reform law now pending in the U.S. Senate would require implementation of the "exit" portion of the U.S. VISIT visitor entry/exit tracking system at America's 300 or so land ports of entry - a program the Bush administration shelved at the end of 2006 because it was too technologically difficult and costly.
PublicDiplomacyWatch.com has
the details.
Klaus2007-05-22 17:10:12
If this hideous bill passes I will never, ever vote for a Republican again.
Todd S2007-05-22 17:10:12
After reading large portions of this bill, I can not understand how any American citizen would support this bill. First it has enough loop holes in it to employ attorneys for the next decade. Second there is too much "trust me" content in this bill when the Congress and the President have proven to be untrustworthy on this issue. Finally, It calls for a huge expansion of government and a coresponding increase in taxes that will be needed for the increase in the welfare state provisions. This bill is bad for the country, it is bad for the political process and it is bad for the rule of law. There are no "good" points to the bill. In fact the only people that benefit from this bill are Mexicans and the ruling elite. I say not just no to this bill but HELL NO!
torabora2007-05-22 17:10:12
The rabid left has been ranting for years about "Bushitler". Are they happy now?
J Kirk Richards2007-05-22 17:10:12
I am sorry, America. Mel Martinez is one o my Senators. I've told him (and Dem. Sen. Bill Nelson) I will not vote Republican at any level if this bill passes. If it fails I wll vote only against Martinez and any other politician who thinks I do not see an amnesty when I smell one.
Mike2007-05-22 17:10:12
Although I do not support some parts of the bill, I think that politicians are finally moving forward, to bring these people out of the shadows.
Could you please stop calling, illegal aliens Mexicans, they could be from: Colombia,Ecuador,Argentina,Paraguay,Uruguay,Chile,Peru,Honduras,El Salvador,Nicaragua, Panama, or some of the many other Latin American Countries.
Lee2007-05-22 17:10:12
The only legislation the Congress will enforce to the fullest extent of the law would likely have to do with the IRS. We've lost the ideal of representative government the Founders envisioned owing to the elite's desire of self-perpetuation. We overthrew a king once, the time draws near to do it again.
GT2007-05-22 17:10:12
It's garbage like this that makes my mind wander to April 19, 1775.
glenn marks2007-05-22 17:10:12
this crap is worthless
just give the united states away
you bunch of worthless
horse crap everone of you
Paul Kahle2007-05-22 17:10:12
We have now, today, sufficient laws on the books to properly address the immigration crisis. We have approval to build the fence, we laws against illegals in our nation and we have laws against employing illegals which, if enforced, would remove the demand and those here for jobs that they could not then have would self deport. BUT, we don't enforce the EXISTING laws so why in the hell would we now enforce a bunch of new ones? There should be no new laws until the ones on the books are enforced.
Legal Immigrant 992007-05-22 17:10:12
I am a legal immigrant and now a proud US citizen. This bill is an insult to all of us who have obeyed the law and worked very hard to become legal immigrants and US citizens. This bill MUST be defeated.
Trojan Horse Whisperer2007-05-22 17:10:12
Given the HUGE amount of detail in this bill and how suddenly it has been sprung on us, I would say that this fits the definition of a "conspiracy". What is needed now is an old-fashioned posse to round up and jail all the co-conspirators to this coup attempt for allowing the invasion and takeover of our country and culture.
WonderingEra2007-05-22 17:10:12
Am I the only one to notice the major flaw in this bill? This bill focuses strictly on the illegal immigrants and it does nothing to fix the problem with the legal immigration process. I see nothing that helps the people who have patiently waited years (and in some cases DECADES) to become legal immigrants. Shouldn't the Senate spend a little bit of time and focus on the people who have been LEGALLY trying to enter the US to become citizens?
theBuckWheat2007-05-22 17:10:12
The last bill of this importance to the nation that was pushed through and voted on before anyone in Congress could read it all, let alone before any of the public could understand and comment on it was the **Patriot Act**.
Look who is repeating the same mistake (from our standpoint) with the same bum's rush tactic (from the Senators who support this).
This bill is dysfuctional on several levels, not the least of which is the very, very shabby and disrespectful way that the Senate is planning on treating we, the people.
Born in the USA2007-05-22 17:10:12
I see some fraudulent leftist post more one party rhetoric. Well what really needs to be done is to create several new political parties. I don't like Bush or McCain's position on this topic.
But the creep from Massachusetts has been trying to sell us out for decades. How any of us can vote for any Democrat or Republican is a question I can't answer.
Maybe lets form the NAU only this time let us vote on the issues. We can't let them feed us what they want to.
Citizen2007-05-22 17:10:12
It's time to make a change in D.C. The politicians, of both parties, do not care a thing for the opinions of the American citizens. It's got to stop. It's time the citizens stand up for America. Watch and see who votes for this bill. Make sure your heard at election time. Send them home! We can even get rid of Kennedy. He should be arrested for raping America! Lord knows the only Mexican's he'll be seeing are the ones cleaning his house.
jj2007-05-22 17:10:12
Why continue operating under the futile notion that this bill will help people "come out of the shadows." Illegal immigrants are law-breakers walking in broad daylight who even dare defy law enforcement publicly.
Theory vs Reality.2007-05-22 17:10:12
we have to take of the people here then worry about those wanted to come in at a later date.
Any effective project manager handling a difficult task will tell you.
STop more flow. Address what at hand. Sort the situation. Asses and conquer.
2007-05-22 17:10:12
I hear various Sen members stating that immigrants have to leave and then return.
May answer to them is “Get Real”. For the majority of immigrant are living day to day to support their families in there country. The US gives money to many country to help with poverty and when people want to help them selves instead of standing in line to receive a plate of food that doesn’t even begin to cover there hunger and unbearable conditions. This comes from people who have warm homes and refrigerators filled with food, saving and a paycheck coming in.
You have families who can’t afford to send there children to school to become education to get that one step up. These head of household risk there lives to come to this country to be able to help there families. You expect them to be able to come up with all the immigration fees, legal fees and penalties on top of this and then ask them to leave everything they have to leave for who knows how long and then to try to come up the money necessary to come back and start over????? If they could afford all this they won’t have risked there lives crossing the boarder to come to this country. This country was founded on people who risk there lives to come here for a better live. Have we forgotten what this country is made of…. immigrants.
jj2007-05-22 17:10:12
5, (a & b)
I'm amazed that the proposed timeline given for processing the Z non-immigrant status is 18 months only. Yet, I as a legal immigrant have been waiting for five (5)years for my wife to join me. Our pertition has languished now for the duration somewhere in the Homeland Security Offices. The logical conclusion is that illegal immigrants are more welcome than those who choose the legal route to establish residency in the U.S.A.
2007-05-22 17:10:12
In response to:
I hear various Sen members stating that immigrants have to leave and then return. May answer to them is “Get Real”.
Yes, my grandfater came here as an immigrant...LEGALLY. My sister in law immigrated here just a few years ago, LEGALLY and is now a citizen. Her family has been immigration to Amercia LEGALLY for decades, one by one. Are you getting the drift? They are obeying our laws! This country welcomes anyone who comes here LEGALLY! Always has, always will.
Jim C2007-05-22 17:10:12
I don't have a problem with people coming to this country to get ahead in life -- in fact, I haven't heard anyone complain about immigrants. After immigrants are the ones who have made this country what it is. What I -- and most -- have a problem with are illegal immigrants. If you want to come to this country do it legaly.
Jim C2007-05-22 17:10:12
JJ,
Thank you, and welcome to the country. I hope things wirk out so that your wife can join you soon
2007-05-22 17:10:12
jj you are right! It is absolutely deplorable.
E Armstrong2007-05-22 17:10:12
It appears that our elected representatives went to a great deal of effort to produce an abortive attempt legislation. We keep hearing how impossible it is to remove 12M illegals, but have barely attempted to take on the task of removing them...have they given up on American soveriegnty? The last I heard, there is no "right" of citizens of other countries to become citizens of our country. Rather, there is merely an inscription on the Statue of Liberty. If we are to remain a soverign nation based on the rule of law, we must 1) control our borders, 2) enforce our laws. Simply making new laws without an effective plan of enforcement simply runs counter to common sense and our national survival. Elected leaders, please make up your mind whom you shall serve, the citizens of the United States of America or everyone else...afterall, at stake is only America.
Legal hispanic immigrant2007-05-22 17:10:12
This bill is an insult to all of us that faced harships and family separation because we were "dumb" enough to follow the laws. I am dissapointed that this wonderful country that became my home when I got here at the age of 15, is advocating that it is ok to break laws and ride the system that has been built by law abiding and hard working citizens and immigrants that respected the laws; I am dissapointed that most of the ilegal hispanics that come here get used to the free rides and the consequence is that they teach their kids that they deserve everything without really working for it and without needing to follow any laws, and that it is ok to jump in front of the line without any regards for the people who are patiently waiting. I love the hispanic culture; I speak Spanish perfectly. To be against ilegal immigration is not to be against my own race. I wish that the arrogant people in Washington, instead of trying to be more considerated to people who break the law and don't really care about what this country is all about can try to be considerated to the people who are waiting in line and figure out a way to fix the archaic legal immigration system which keeps families separated for too long and for no valid reason.
WIll2007-05-22 17:10:12
please what you all need is to be calling your senator to say what all you write on
that it. And for God please stop crying for ones for all. aaahh but the way I am a Illegal alien ok and i proud to said that.
proud american2007-05-22 17:10:12
Since the vast majority of politicians don't want to listen to popular opinion of US citizens, I think the whole country should ban together and do to all politicians that support illegal immigrants what California did to Grey Davis a few years ago...kick him out of office. Maybe then they would get the message about how We the People feel about this issue.
In response to the "illegal immigrant" above: of course you're proud to be illegal. If you weren't then you would have come here the proper and legal way. This says a lot about your personal character and morals...basically that you have none and are willing to steal from the Citizens of this country. If you have no pride for America then go back to wherever you originally came from and don't bother to come back here.
Charles2007-05-22 17:10:12
The current bill cannot be amended to obtain a sensible bill. It needs to be killed.
First, this country needs to end the practice of automatic citizenship to anyone born in this country. Children of illegals should retain the illegal status of its parents, even if a constitutional amendment is required. Second, every benefit, with the exception of life saving emergency medical care, should be restricted to those here legally. Third, we should require passport ID at all the same places the Europeans do, until we come up with a more secure form of identification. Fourth, we should deploy the National Guard and other military personnel on our borders to repel the invasion underway. Fifth, we should institute a policy whereby we recoup the cost of apprehending and jailing illegals who commit additional crimes from their home country. Sixth, if we need imported workers, we should improve the current system of legal immigration so the wait is reduced to 1 year or less. There's much more to be done, but this would be a great start.
Chesty Puller2007-05-22 17:10:12
I've seen this coming for 30 years. Now it's almost time, for the "ice man to commeth" and yet most folks still don't get it. When there are more of them than us, they'll merely mandate Spanish (1) English (2). Recall the earliest rule you learned on the playground, "possession is nine-tenths of the law". Goodbye America you were a wonderful country!
Tim Griffin2007-05-22 17:10:12
It is time for us to develop a backbone. Illegal aliens are law breakers. I suggest the following:
1)Make it so hard economically for illegals to survive here that they will voluntarily go home--get rid of government programs.
2)Hit employers who hire illegals in their pocketbook--HARD.
3)Quit granting citizenship to babies of illegal alien mothers- treat them as what they are--dependants of illegal aliens and deport them home with their parents.
We have tried amnesty programs in the past with what result? Illegal aliens are a securitry threat to the United States. We are indeed a nation of immigrants, but have laws to govern the logistics of becoming a citizen. It is past time to uphold them. Giving current illegals special accomodations is inherently wrong. I have Fillipino friends going through the legal process of becoming citizens annd they are getting no special treatment.If the United States does not get a handle on this major security issue we can expect more affronts to our homeland like 9/11 and Oklahoma City.
Seasonal H2B Employer2007-05-22 17:10:12
I'm a small business employer of LEGAL seasonal H2B workers. Unemplopyment in my area is ~2%. The H2B program is the ONLY way I've been able to get people willing to work in tree care. Called Employment Commission yesterday, again to ask if they had ANYONE wanting tree work job - they had NO ONE. We pay $12 - 20/hour. This is not min wage. This bill eliminates the LEGAL H2B seasonal program. Anyone want a summer job in central Virginia? If not, we'll probably go under.
Guy Daley2007-05-22 17:10:12
Name one other country in the world where you can sneak in then demand to become a citizen without any kind of background check, etc, etc, etc.
Our governments agenda is to flood this country with people and it will continue to work towards that agenda.
If your all for fast tracking this country towards 600 million people and all the growth resultant problems associated with that then by all means support this bill and the backstabbers that have proposed it. But don't ever, EVER say that you are concerned about your childrens future because that just makes you a total hypocrite and a liar.
MLD2007-05-22 17:10:12
IF all LAWS were enforced and abided by, then this would be a perfect world, huh? Well I've got some news, IT'S NOT! So it's a waste of time to say that the "illegal immigrants" should come into this country legally, when, in fact, there are U.S. citizens, that are not law abiding citizens...so really who are the hypocrites. It's all easier said than done. If only you were in the "illegal immigrants" situation you may understand just a little bit. Let me just say that if they had the money 1) they would be here legally and 2) They might not be here at all doing the jobs that they do. Don't be so closed minded. I am a strong believer on "what goes around comes around".
Miki2007-05-22 17:10:12
How are aliens stealing from America?
If they work everyday on the fields, for what little money their employees pay them, and suffer discrimination from Southern people,because I bet at least 75 % of people in here are from somewhere in the south.
I propose this to allow aliens, to eventually be part of this Great Country.
1)You should have lived in the USA for at least 5 years.
2)You should own a house.
3) Know how to write,read, and talk in English, and take a Civics class, and successfully pass.
4) You should have a clean criminal record
5) Any people that have commited any crimes should be reported back to their own Latin Country.
6) Pay a 5,000 dollars for the civics class.
Cameron Toth2007-05-22 17:10:12
Cameron Toth
2007-05-22 13:55:30
My Wife is a Mexican-American who came to the United States from Mexico. She came without a Visa because she did not have the money or influence to buy one as most people who get a Visa do. She came to the United States looking for a better life. Seven years later she has worked gotten married (to me) and we have a 9 month old beautiful baby girl named Alexandria. My wife works in Foodservice and is looking to move beyond that. She has been paying payroll taxes for six years and paying her taxes yearly under her Tax ID which the government willingly bestows without the benefits of resident status and the security that would bring. In short my wife works and pays taxes, is not a criminal and never has been, is a wife and a mother to American Citizens but she is not allowed to be a citizen and there is currently no path for her to gain her citizenship. This bill is not perfect and I do not like the fact that my wife's citizenship has to wait for our slow moving government to protect our borders in order for my family to be able to live freely but I do feel it is a step in the right direction. My wife could never have come to this country the way that she did if the borders were properly protected and large businesses did not actively support using illegal immigrants for labor.
Mike2007-05-22 17:10:12
I agree with Cameron, at least 95% of Aliens are hones, hard working people, that love this country, and yes I am sure that there are some Aliens that don't like the USA, but I guarantee you that it is a very low percentage.
carlos brown2007-05-22 17:10:12
in America the man that play by the rule is the man that get shafted my mother has filed a petition for me, married son from Nov 2000
i cannot get a visa, i have been to America 4 four times. i could overstay if i did i would be in this amnesty
MLD2007-05-22 17:10:12
I am in the same situation as Cameron and I agree with him...I do believe that we are in the right direction with this bill. All the immigrants want is a better life. They aren't coming here demanding anything...that's just what close minded people want to think. They just want to work and have better life. That is all.
unfair to legal citizens2007-05-22 17:10:12
what part of illegal does the senate not understand??any planthat rewards illegal behavior is amnesty.the american people are don't want amnesty . we are demanding border security.just because someone is in our country illegaly doesn't mean we have to give them citizenship. granting amnesty rewards law breakers. mexico needs to take care of their own. they have a beautiful country and are rich in oil, they are just a corrupted government. (and ours is starting to look that way)
when illegal aliens protest in their marches they carry signs that say "you go home, this is our country. they don't want to become citizens.they want to keep speaking spanish, not english. they want to make our states into another mexico. do you think if we went to mexico, their government would give us jobs, citizenship, monies for food and all the benefits that they get from us?? not a chance. it is time to wipe out the welcome mat. american want our
UNFAIR TO LEGAL CITIZENS, CONTINUED2007-05-22 17:10:12
americans want our EXISTING IMMIGRATION LAWS TO BE ENFORCED . MAYBE IF WE ALL DECIDED TO STOP PAYING OUR TAXES, DO YOU THINK OUR SENATE AND CONGRESS WOULD START LISTENING TO WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT, INSTEAD OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS. GOD HELP OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. OH FOR THE GOOD OL DAYS.
LIVID AT OUR GOVERNMENT2007-05-23 09:18:20
Amnesty costs the taxpayers 90 billion dollars a yr.If this bill passes, we will be paying EA illegal alien in their lifetime 1.2 million dollars EACH for amnesty.We give them so many benefits free and withold these from our own citizens. They wire 17 to 20 billion dollars a yr to Mexico, monies they have earned illegally.
Punish the enablers, greedy employers, landlords helping criminal activity. Take away their jobs, and they will return to their own country. Our president should be pressuring the Mexican government to take care of their own. And most of all close our borders, not only from illegal aliens but from terrorists who hate us.
Win2007-05-23 09:18:20
There should be no amnesty. As far as those with personal stories about those with stories of struggles for the illegal aliens. I'm sorry, but this country isn't about them or this country here for their benefit. This country is about the United States citizens and the government here is for their benefit.
If they want to be a citizen then they need to do it the right way, not working to push a bill through that does nothing for the people of this country and puts a enormous financial and social burden on us.
We need to provide and take care of our citizens first, and many of them are suffering too. There stories are just as sad, the difference is that we have a responsibility to help them. There are limits to how many ills in the world even we can fix.
3002007-05-23 09:18:20
Our own government, without so much as a shot fired, is today contemplating surrending our country and it's citizens to MEXICO. How in the world have we come to this point?
There will most likely be civil unrest and possibly civil war if native citizens are forced to adopt our NEW culture and way of life.
If this bill passes and is signed by the President we will see a massive and unprecedented tidal wave of mainly impoverished Spanish speaking people. Demanding their "derechos" to all our social services.
Within a decade, social programs such as Social Security and Medicare will crumble under the weight of so many "needy" people. Our culture will change as well. We will have a defacto dual language country. Formerly suburban areas will be overrun by gangs and associated crime.
GOD help us all. Our government certainly won't.
Legal hispanic immigrant2007-05-23 09:18:20
My family did not buy a visa to come to this country. We had to work hard and be separated to live here. I am not Mexican, I had been a victim of discrimination by Mexicans regardless of my very hispanic looks, but they can always recognice in my accent that I am not Mexican. I'll tell you one of the ways I know they still from this country, and I know this because I work at a school were these people get free lunches for their kids while giving their kids as young as 8 yrs. $20.00 bills to buy whatever junk they want from the cafeteria.
